Chapter 3 #2
“He’s going to be fine. He just needs some time. We all do,” he whispered that last part, and Minx could hear the pain in his voice.
Frowning, she spun to face him and searched his somber face. All this time she had been so concerned with her anguish that she hadn’t even considered what he was feeling.
“How are you holding up?” she asked.
“I’m always going to be ten toes down, shorty. Max taught me that. He told me one day he might not be around. I didn’t expect it to come this fast. A nigga fucked up behind it though.”
“He loved you,” Minx assured him, arms going around his waist as she embraced him.
Rose held her back tightly. Perez entered the kitchen with his daughter at his side.
Shy and very guarded, her big, brown eyes surveyed the room, stopping when they landed on Mille at the table alone.
She was instantly drawn to him. Perez joined Minx and Rose at the counter while his daughter made her way over to Max’s only son.
“Just wanted to pay my condolences,” Perez said, remaining on the opposite side of the counter from Rose and Minx. “Max and I go back a long time,and we might not have been on the same sides of the law, but I respected him, and he was solid.”
“Thank you,” Minx said, tears in her eyes and sniffling back more.
“My daughter was determined to show her face here. I heard about what happened at the school last week. She’s been worried about Mil since then,” Perez verbalized.
“It’s sweet of her to show up. I know that you and my daddy had a relationship that most people couldn’t understand, but you’ve always given him and everyone he has working for him the benefit of the doubt. You didn’t have to, but you did, and it’s appreciated.”
“I wish that there was more I could do. We are investigating that night. So far there is a lot of red tape, and the FBI is even talking about making an appearance,” Perez informed them. “Either of you got any idea what happened? Did you see anything?”
“We already gave our statements,” Rose answered.
Max might’ve been cool with him and had an understanding, but to Ambrose, Perez was just another cop. He didn’t think he was like his brethren that went around bullying their community, but Rose was leery of any motherfucker toting that badge and uniform.
“Rose, I ain’t trying to do shit but get to the truth behind this… for Max,” Perez insisted.
“I don’t know shit. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.” Rose stiffened beside Minx, and she rested a hand on his chest to calm him.
“Hey, it’s all good,” Minx chimed in, the voice of reason.
She knew it didn’t take much for Rose to get worked up, and she didn’t want that right now.
“Perez, have something to eat.”
Nodding, he backed off. The detective in him told him that Rose was privy to some information that he wasn’t.
The streets always talked. That was why Perez kept his ear to them when trying to solve a case.
The streets weren’t loyal to anyone, and they could turn in a heartbeat.
Minx brought her soft hand to Rose’s cheeks, and they locked eyes.
“Hey, you need a minute?” she questioned him.
“Yeah, I’m gonna go find Finn,” he said, sighing.
That was how in tune with him Minx was. She knew when he was about to blow, and she couldn’t take it.
She needed Rose more than she cared to admit.
She wasn’t sleeping well, and his presence at night brought all the comfort.
Rose took a few steps back, and she watched him clear the room.
Minx reached for a nearby bottle of Chardonnay and poured herself a tall glass.
She guzzled it and watched as Enika pulled out a chair beside Mille at the kitchen table.
“Hi,” she greeted him very timidly.
Mille brought his puffy eyes up to hers. He’d been crying, just not in front of anyone. He didn’t want to make his mother even more sad or set Minx off, so Mille figured he had to be strong. His deep, chestnut eyes scanned Enika in front of him before she lowered herself into the chair.
“I won’t ask how you are. That just sounds like a dumb question to me,” she responded, sheepish. “But I will say I’m here if you want to talk or just sit.”
“Thanks,” Mille cleared his throat and responded.
“Do you want to… talk?” she asked, nervous.
Mil looked at her, really looked at her, and it made Enika nervous.
When he shook his head and his eyes fell to the floor, empathy filled her face.
She scooted closer to him and dropped her head to his shoulder.
Somehow, that gesture brought him a comfort he hadn’t sought out.
Enika was genuine, and her energy was good, so Mille gravitated toward it.
“I never thanked you for standing up against Cole last week. Sorry you got suspended for it,” she stated guiltily.
She didn’t know what else to say to fill the void, so she thought a “thank you” would change the tone.
“It’s cool. He deserved it,” Mille said, and Enika chuckled.
“Are you coming back to school this week?” she queried, her bright eyes studying him curiously.
“I don’t know,” Mille answered. “I don’t know anything. This don’t even feel real. My dad is just… gone. And I don’t know how to deal with that.”
“My mama’s not dead, but I pretend she is.
She was a drug addict. What everyone says about her is true, me too if you want to get technical.
I was born addicted to narcotics, and my daddy said it wasn’t easy trying to take care of me and my crazy mama.
Something had to give, and eventually, she just couldn’t deal and left.
So I tell everyone that she’s dead.” Filled with shame, she fidgeted with her hands in her lap.
“Thanks for coming today. I haven’t really been in the mood to talk to anybody. This helps a lot,” Mil said, and Enika gave him the cutest little half smile.
“Well, I can’t guarantee how much of that I’m good for. Most people don’t care to hear me speak, so I try to remain invisible.”
“Well, you suck at that. Too pretty so you automatically stand out.” He gave her a half smile, and her heart fluttered.
Minx beamed, glad that her brother had someone. Rose might’ve been paranoid about Perez, but as long as his daughter was good to her brother, she had no problem with either of them.
“What you think that shit was about at the church today?” Finn asked, taking a tug from the blunt in his hand.
He rolled up some of KC’s finest weed and stood leaning against his car parked in the back of the house. Posted beside the back door, one leg propped against the house, Rose stared off.
Shaking his head, he finally said, “I don’t know.
Shit just off right now. That night at the club, Max was pissed.
This mothafucka Gannon shows up at the hospital after Minx wakes up with sympathy and shit.
I ain’t buying none of it. I know for a fact this bitch ass nigga had something to do with it. ”
“So how you wanna move on it?” Finn took another puff and held the smoke in his mouth.
“We talk to Mila first. I need to know everything she knows about this mothafucka Lynch. We go from there. Bring Jonah in too.”
“Bro, that mothafucka crazy.” Finn shook his head.
“Indeed, just what we need.” Rose nodded as Finn held the blunt out for him to take.
The back door opened, and Luna popped out as Rose took his first drag.
“Y’all smoking without us?” she asked, walking over to Finn.
Rose watched Minx waltz out behind her, looking good as fuck in her dress as his eyes fell on her ass. She paused next to him and peered up at him.
“Just a little shop talk,” Finn said, reaching for her arm and pulling her toward him.
He encased her in his arms. Finn didn’t like funerals.
The shit always reminded him of his own father.
Losing Max was another blow. Minx let the door close and posted up with Rose as he continued to let the weed take him away.
He passed it to her, and she anxiously took it, already a little tipsy off the wine she’d practically inhaled.
“It’s starting to clear out. Mama has that look on her face where she’s ready for everyone to go,” she muttered. “Have you eaten?”
“Nah, not hungry. A nigga could use a drink though,” Rose answered, and Minx tilted her head.
“Rose, you need to eat,” she chastised, and his eyes roamed her figure before he bit into his bottom lip.
“Ain’t gon’ lie, a nigga got an appetite for some shit,” he voiced, making her blush.
Minx shook her head. He reached out and cupped her chin before he took her into his arms and crashed his lips into hers. It was soft at first, and Minx nearly melted as he deepened it with his warm tongue.
“Damn, okay,” Luna teased, making Finn snicker.
Minx and Rose parted and stared into each other’s eyes. In the midst of all the darkness, they grasped tightly to one another. Like a life jacket, they were dependent on each other for survival.
“Rose, don’t play with me right now,” she whispered.
“Shit, who said I’m playing? It’s been a long ass week. A nigga need a release,” he told her.
He was right about that. She was tense as fuck her damn self.
She didn’t want any kind of pressure when giving herself to Rose.
She wanted it to feel natural and right.
It was obvious that he wanted her. She couldn’t keep that bitch Nadia off her mind either.
Minx gave him the blunt back and reached for the door.
“I’m gonna go get a drink and help clean up.” She lowered her head and went inside.
Rose could practically read her mind. He knew where her head was at.
Luna took a few puffs and ducked off inside to help her.
It took a minute to get everyone together, a couple of the cousins and aunties were drunk and emotional, repeating themselves and driving Mila insane.
Jonah helped her get them out, and before long, it was just the immediate family, Finn, and Luna.
Mila kicked her shoes off, plopped down in her sofa, and put her feet on the table.